Record Contracts – The Very Basics

 
Record contracts (or artist’s agreement) can make a marriage look like a casual, no strings attached date. It’s the real deal and can have legal repercussions that could last years (just ask The Artist Formerly Known as Prince). The following information gives you some of the basics on a complicated topic and does not provide [...]

Scheduling Your Art

 
 

 
How you schedule your time is almost as important as your art itself. As a matter of fact, scheduling can sometimes seem like an art! It requires forethought, “bigger picture” planning and a little creativity as well. So how do you optimize your time? Or are you?
 
Some basic rules of thumb, when in comes [...]

Staying True to your Vision

 
Once you develop a keen inner compass as an artist, you’ll know early on when things are going off-course.
 
Here are some quotes from other artists:
 
“When he didn’t show up the first rehearsal, of course I knew it was a red flag. But he was the best bass player we had.”
 
“They cut the hell out of [...]

The Do’s and Don’ts of Low Budget Touring

 
If you’re a band of the low-budget variety, a tour can be a pretty grueling time. You’ll want to prepare way ahead of time to make it as cush as possible because, well, once you’re out there, it will be decidedly “uncushy.” You will sleep on floors, eat garbage, get sick of your band mates, [...]

You and the Other Job

 
If you’re like most artists, you are maintaining another job to pay the bills. Maybe you’re making some money at your art. Maybe you’re not. But whatever way you cut it; you still have that oft-dreaded Other Job that keeps you afloat.

It’s often a bitch, trying to keep both ships afloat. You find yourself [...]

Videotaping your Performance

 
One actress recounts this story:
 
“When I first saw a video of one of my performances, I literally ran out of the room. I felt so confident up until that point! I thought my performance was rock solid. But that video told a whole other story. I saw myself doing these unneeded hand gestures and my [...]

What’s your Look?

 
No matter what form your creativity takes, it’s important to acknowledge that if you’re in the public eye, your look counts. Sure, we’d love to believe we don’t live in such a superficial society but honey, we do!
 
An agent speaks:
 
“The trouble I see with many musicians is a total lack of concern for their appearance. [...]

What to Look for in a Manager

 
If you are a band looking to move beyond the local scene and really bursting at the seams professionally, you will inevitably need a manager. Most bands have pre-conceived ideas when it comes to managers; that they’re ultimately unhelpful and costly. Fact of the matter is: unless you or another band member has an incredible [...]

Learn how to wow a festival crowd

 
Festivals are great aren’t they? They are the high point of people’s summer and they give you a great chance to catch new bands, see friends and generally have a great time. They are also great for a band as it gives the opportunity to play to a different crowd and not have the entire [...]

Band Label Art

Make your artwork as individual as your music
 
One of the things that is very important for a band is the artwork that is used on their singles and albums as it will come to represent them in many people’s eyes. This means that a band needs to be comfortable and happy with what is being [...]